Viral tests check samples from your respiratory system (such as swabs of the inside of the nose) to tell you if you currently have an infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Some tests are point-of-care tests, meaning results may be available at the testing site in less than an hour. Other tests must be sent to a laboratory to analyze, a process that takes 1-2 days once received by the lab.
A guide to help you make decisions and seek appropriate medical care Not everyone needs to be tested for COVID-19. Here is some information that might help you make decisions about getting a viral test.
CDC has guidance for who should be tested, but decisions about testing are made by state and local health departments or healthcare